Post-hole digger



(No Model.)

S. H. GREGG. POST HOLE BIGGER.

No. 429,903. Patented June 10, 1890.

rTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL H. GREGG, OF CRAWVFORDSVILLE, INDIANA.

POST-HOLE BIGGER.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,903, dated Application filed March 24, 1890.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. GREGG, residingat Crawfordsville, Montgomery county, in the State of Indiana, have invented a new and Improved Post-Hole Digger, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved post-hole digger constructed for digging square or rectangular holes; and the invention has for an object to provide a digger which will present the least difficulties in being forced into the ground when open, and which when closed will entirely inclose the soil within it, so that the hole may be easily and completely cleaned of the loose dirt.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the device, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side View of the post-hole digger open. Fig. 2 is a side View of the digger closed. Fig. 3 is a back view of the digger. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the handle drawn on about line 4: 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on about line 5 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a bottom end View of the digger with the jaws open.

The digger, as stated, is intended for digging square or rectangular post-holes, and is formed with the jaws A A, each of which has a shank-like portion a at its upper end, such portions a being pivoted at a, as shown. The handles B are secured to these tangs a, as shown, and are formed, preferably, half-round in cross-section, with the fiat sides I) of each abutting the other, so that when closed together they will united form a round handle, as shown in Fig. 4, such handles being closed together when the jaws A are open, as will be understood from Fig. 1. The jaws A are formed with flat back plates 0, and with side plates D, which extend from the edges of plates 0 at about right angles to said plates, as shown. These side plates D are tapered on their free edges d to a point terminating at the lower edges of the back plates, so that the free edges of the side plates will present the minimum resistance in entering the ground, the free edges of the back plates being brought to a cutting-edge and beveled on the inside to facilitate their entrance into the ground. These jaws are so pivoted together June 10, 1890.

Serial No. 345,161. (No model.)

that when opened the back plates will lie in parallel planes, and the side plates of the opposite jaws will be entirely separated at their edges. Consequently it will be seen that the digger will present the least resistance in being forced into the ground, the plates 0 being parallel, and the plates D being tapered on their free edges to a point at their lower ends. It will also be noticed that the plates D are not lapped upon each other at any point, so that there is no doublingof the side plates to impede the entrance of the digger into the ground. side plates D at the same sides of the opposite jaws are in the same vertical plane, in consequence of which the said side plates when the jaws are closed together will cut toward each other and operate to complete the formation of the square or rectangular form of the post-hole. The relation between the inclines or bevels of edges (1, of plates D, and the pivot co is such that when the jaws are closed the free edges of the side plates D at the same side of the opposite jaws will abut from end to end, and the lower edges of the back plates will abut from side to side, so that the contents of the digger will be entirely inclosed, and the digger can be withdrawn without spilling any of its contents, thus enabling the withdrawal of the loose dirt without spilling any part thereof. When the jaws are opened the handles are brought together and form practically a single handle, so that the digger may be conveniently handled in forcin g it into the ground.

By means of the construction shown I am able to form a square post-hole with a flat bottom and to clean out all of the loose dirt from such hole, leaving it clean and fiat at the bottom. I am further enabled by the fiat sharp edges to cut off any roots and the like, and am able to work through clayey or other hard soil.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The improved post-hole digger for digging square or rectangular post-holes, substantially as described, having its jaws formed with back plates and side plates, the back plates being flat and straight, and the side plates being projected inwardly from the back plates It will be further noticed that the at about right angles thereto, and being tapered at their free edges to a point terminating at the lower edges of the back plates, the said jaws being pivoted together in such manner that when the jaws are open the back plates will be parallel with each other, and that when the jaws are closed the free edges of the side plates of the opposite jaws will abut from end to end, and the lower edges of the back plates of the opposite jaws will abut Io from side to side, all substantiallyas described, and for the purposes set forth.

SAMUEL H. GREGG. \Vitnesses:

P. B. TURPIN, FRED G. DIETERICH. 

